Monday, April 01, 2013

A report from Jacobabad

Ganga a Hindu woman converted to Islam and forced married a Muslim man. The protest and a “wave of anger” within the minority community led to the postponement of polls for the Hindu Panchayat in Jacobabad yesterday.

Reports from Jhanjhri Street area of Jacobabad said Ganga, the daughter of gold trader Ashok Kumar,kidnapped & forced married Asif Ali, son of Bahadur Ali Surhio, at Amrot Sharif Dargah after converted to Islam. Aasia name given to Ganga.The woman’s parents and several relatives rushed to the shrine after learning about the conversion but the marriage had already been registered before their arrival. They returned to Jacobabad and lodged an FIR that alleged Ganga was kidnapped by Asif Ali his father, a brother named Abid Ali, and another man identified as Miran Bukhsh. Asif Ali was not at his residence but his father, brother and Miran Bukhsh were arrested.

The Hindu community of Jacobabad took to the streets and organised a protest against what the “kidnapping” of the woman. Incumbent Panchayat chief Harpal Das Chabria told several hundred voters and their candidates that kidnapping of Hindu girls and their “forced conversion” had increased.He appealed to authorities to check the trend and provide protection to Hindus in Sindh.

A rally was organised from Janta Hall in Jacobabad against the alleged kidnapping. People marched to the local press club, shouting slogans for Ganga’s reunion with her family. Hindu leaders warned that if their demand was not met, the community would observe a strike across the city and start an agitation.

The Hindu community in Sindh has been up in arms since last year over the alleged abduction and forced conversion of many Hindu girls ...